Sturridge signs for Liverpool

Liverpool have completed the £12 million signing of striker Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea.

Daniel Sturridge is Liverpool's first signing of the January transfer window.

Sturridge, 23, has signed a long-term contract and will offer an extra option for manager Brendan Rodgers in a squad that has been short of forwards this season.

Luis Suarez has been Liverpool’s only fit senior striker since mid-October, when Fabio Borini picked up a foot injury.

Rodgers had already been left short of firepower after allowing Andy Carroll to join West Ham on a season’s loan in August, then missing out on Fulham forward Clint Dempsey, who joined Tottenham instead.

The arrival of Sturridge, whose chances at Chelsea have been limited by a hamstring problem this season, is intended to ease the attacking burden on Suarez.

He has been signed too late to play for Liverpool against Sunderland in the Premier League on Wednesday night, but is likely to make his debut in Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie at Blue Square Bet Premier side Mansfield.

Sturridge, who has four England caps and played for Great Britain’s football side at last summer’s Olympics, told Liverpool’s website: “I am humbled and happy to be here.

“Brendan Rodgers said he sees me here for a long time - and I also see myself here for a long time. I’ve not signed here to play for a couple of years and then move on.

“I’ve signed to be here for as long as possible. It’s a humongous club – for me, one of the biggest in the world – and to have the fans and world-class players we have here is amazing.”